FREE STARTER KIT: YOUR FIRST FAMILY TRIP ON MILES
Points & miles

Your points. A little more possibility.

Start with the basics, then learn to search, compare, and book for the whole family.

13 guides

Credit basics

Does travel hacking hurt your credit? What families should know

Understand applications, account age, utilization, and payment habits before using credit-card welcome bonuses for family travel.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Before you apply

Chase 5/24 explained: count your accounts before choosing a card

A beginner-friendly explanation of the widely reported Chase 5/24 practice, how to review recent accounts, and why application order matters.

Points & miles · 3 min read
From idea to booking

How to plan a family points trip: find the destination, then the redemption

Use KAYAK Explore and Google Flights for ideas, check Hyatt and airline awards, and transfer points only after the whole family’s plan works.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Points made simple

Transfer partners explained: turn bank points into a family booking

Learn what transferring points means, how it differs from a travel portal, and how to verify the ratio before booking Hyatt or airline awards.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Our hotel starting point

Why Hyatt is our first hotel choice for family points trips

Why we start with Hyatt for hotel points, what our Boulder stay taught us, and how to check room fit, current pricing, and bank-transfer costs.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Start here

Travel Hacking 101: a beginner’s guide for families

Learn how family travel with points and miles works, from choosing a realistic trip to finding five award seats and checking the full cost.

Points & miles · 5 min read
Family of five

How to search for five award seats on the same flight

A practical family award-flight search process: search all five travelers, compare dates, check both directions, and understand separate reservations.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Smarter redemptions

Cash or points? Do the math for your actual family trip

Compare cash and points using the same family itinerary, award fees, practical alternatives, and an easy cents-per-point example.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Before you book

Before you transfer points: a family booking checklist

Check award space, passenger count, account names, transfer ratios, timing, and cancellation rules before moving your family’s travel points.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Beginner series

Your first family points trip: a 30-day planning path

A four-week learning and planning path for a first family points trip, from rewards inventory to a realistic booking decision.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Learn the basics

Points and miles, in plain English: a family travel glossary

Understand award seats, transferable points, travel portals, transfer ratios, positioning flights, and other family travel rewards terms.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Booking choices

Travel portal or transfer partner: which fits your family trip?

Compare booking through a bank travel portal with transferring points to an airline or hotel, including availability, pricing, and who handles changes.

Points & miles · 3 min read
Earn thoughtfully

How to choose your first travel credit card: a family checklist

Evaluate travel credit cards against your family’s trip, ordinary spending, annual fees, usable benefits, and ability to pay the balance in full.

Points & miles · 4 min read

A FREE LITTLE HEAD START

Your first miles trip,
one doable step at a time.

Get the 8-page starter kit for moms: simple explanations, fillable worksheets, and a plan for your family.

Get the free starter kit